Only the Chiba Jets, Alvark Tokyo, Ryukyu Golden Kings and Yokohama B-Corsairs remain in the B.League title chase as the penultimate playoff weekend looms.
Headlined by the Jets, who set a B.League record with 53 regular-season wins, the quest for the 2022-23 championship tips off with four quarterfinal matchups.
The Nagoya Diamond Dolphins recorded the first victory of the 60-game B.League season, a 101-86 triumph over the SeaHorses Mikawa.
After their 4-1 win over Paraguay, the Samurai Blue shifted their focus to an encounter with world No. 1 Brazil.
Ryukyu is making its first appearance in the circuit’s championship series, while Utsunomiya is back for the third time in six years.
Ryukyu ended Shimane’s title hopes on the final play of their semifinal series, and Utsunomiya swept Kawasaki in the other series.
In the next postseason round, the Brave Thunders play host to the Brex and the Golden Kings face the visiting Susanoo Magic.
The Brave Thunders rout the Alvark Tokyo for their fifth straight victory heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
The reigning Masters champion said he expects to be able to participate in the upcoming major in Augusta, Georgia.
Alvark coach Luka Pavicevic’s squad focused on playing more aggressively in its weekend rematch with the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, and the strategy paid off.
Riding a five-game winning streak, the Jets are one of three teams with 5-1 records to open the 2021-22 season.
The Brex are the epitome of an unselfish team. Consider this revealing fact: Eight Utsunomiya players are averaging more than 1.6 assists per game.
